April in Edom this weekend
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Event co-chairman of April in Edom Robin Marshall expected about 50 vendors to take an interest in the small town street fair and invest in a booth. The final number landed at around 64.

"It has completely surpassed what we were expecting, " Marshall said. "We were expecting around 50 to 55."

The fair's vendor deadline was extended by about two weeks to allow time for more vendors to apply.

Because of the large number of booths to be present at April in Edom, the April 19- 20 street fair, a wider variety of the items normally available at the event will be showcased.

In the food category, Marshall said in addition to the normal fair offerings of hamburgers, hot dogs and corn dogs, items such as craw- fish, Philly cheese steaks, barbeque and homemade ice cream will be available for purchase. The food items are not limited to these, however. They include hot wings, breakfast items, fried pies and more.

In the arts category, handmade woodwork, scroll working, candles, soaps and much more will be on sale and on display.

"You can come out and have a good day for $100 for a full family," Marshall said.

There will be an area for the kids with a maze, a jump house, a train and face painting, among other activities. This area is open for $3 per participant per day.

A larger train will also be on scene to cruise larger kids and adults around the fair.

The street fair will feature a live auction with items donated from the town's merchants and vendors, four Wild West shows by the Texicans, sponsored by The Shed CafØ, and a pet parade.

Marshall said during the pet parade, people can bring their pets, either caged or on a leash of some sort, and go through the street to the entertainment center. Here, merely for being in the parade, participants will win a prize suiting to the pet they brought.

The parade is sponsored by the Edom Veterinary Service. The Van Zandy County Humane Society and Claws, an organization in animal protection, will also supply the prizes.

In addition, there will be a softball grudge match between the coaches of Brownsboro and the coaches of Van. This match will decide who gets a trophy that has been floating back and forth between the two cities.

"The coaches get down and dirty about it, too," Marshall said about the grudge match.

Live entertainment will be present at the event, from individual performers and groups to hit artist Lauren Alexander, a singer, guitarist and songwriter. Her latest hit, "Perfume and Gasoline", was penned by Alexander and released in January of 2008.

Much of the entertainment at the event is free, but bringing money for food and souvenirs is recommended.